Nothing ugly about Afellay

PICTURE: AFP

HOLLAND 6
(Robin van Persie 11, 29-pen, Wesley Sneijder 15, Ibrahim Afellay 37, 51, Ron Vlaar 78)
NORTHERN IRELAND 0

There was nothing ugly or brutish about the Dutch demolition of an abject Northern Ireland yesterday morning (Singapore time). Although it was only a friendly, Holland were rampant, with Ibrahim Afellay standing out.

With less than a week to go until the start of Euro 2012, Holland’s former forgotten man has quietly put his name down as a contender for one of the players of the tournament.

His link play with Robin van Persie was incisive and could see the pair start their Group B opener against Denmark.

And if the supporting cast of the likes of Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder can rise to the occasion, then there is little to stop the Dutch.